325 Cyclists From Nine Nations in $2 Million Israeli Charity Bike Ride

Israel's largest charity sports event, a bike ride for Alyn Hospital in Jerusalem, begins on Sunday, November 6. Participants from nine countries, ranging in age from 15-72, will cycle through the Golan Heights and down to Mediterranean Coast.

(PRWEB) November 4, 2005 -- Israel's largest multi-day charity sports event – a five-day, 240-mile bike ride through the mountains of the Golan Heights and down the Mediterranean coast – will take place from November 6-10. Some 325 bicycle riders, more than half of whom are arriving from overseas, will participate in Wheels of Love, which aims to raise $2 million in sponsorships for the ALYN Therapeutic Rehabilitation Hospital in Jerusalem.

Ranging in age from 15 to 72, the riders come from Israel, the U.S., Canada, England, Germany, France, Sweden, Brazil and Australia. Participants have the option of following on-road or off-road routes, or a combination of the two.

The ride was initiated six years ago with only 10 riders, and has grown dramatically each year. Last year, 235 cyclists raised $ 1,400,000 in sponsorships to benefit ALYN, the country's only rehabilitation center for infants, children and young adults who require intensive therapy for disabilities stemming from congenital conditions, accidents, illness and terror attacks. In addition, American-based corporate sponsors such as "Cliff Bar" and "CIBC World Markets" have also made significant contributions to the Wheels of Love 2005 charity sports event.

The ride is a family affair for some participants. One of the oldest riders is Dr. Peter Shrock, a retired pediatric surgeon from Roslyn, N.Y., who also participated in last year's ride. This year, he is bringing his sons along for the ride: Darryl Shrock, a real-estate developer from Potomac, Md. and Kevin Shrock, an orthopedic surgeon from Plantation, Fla. Peter's wife, Pamela, is part of the Wheels of Love volunteer support team.

Over 40 of the participants are physicians.

"Regardless of age, origin, or profession, we're all united by our love of cycling, of Israel, and of the young patients being treated at ALYN Hospital," says Dr. David Terika of New York. "We're riding for these kids who can't."

Further information about the ride can be found at: www.alyn.org

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